1. Do I have to do a minor?

    No.  Academic Minors are optional. LSA students pursuing a AB or BS degree may opt to complete one or more academic minors in order to broaden their educational experience outside their area of concentration.

  2. Is there a limit to how many academic minors I can take?

    No.

  3. I'm doing a BGS degree.  Can I also elect an academic minor?

    No.  Academic Minors are not available for students who are electing the Bachelor in General Studies degree.

  4. How do I declare an academic minor?

    To declare a concentration you simply       make an appointment with a academic minor advisor in that department, and the two of you fill out and sign a  Declaration Form . Department staff will enter the declaration onto your record.  You will not be able to declare an academic minor until you have declared your concentration.

  5. How many extra credits to I need to take to get a minor?

    Minors require at least 15 credits of course work.  Check the requirements of the academic minor you are interested in taking for specific requirements?

  6. Can I elect an academic minor in the same department that I'm majoring in?

    No.    Since academic minors are intended to broaden students' educational experience outside their area(s) of concentration, students may not elect a concentration and minor, or two minors, offered by the same department or program.

  7. Which is better, a minor or a concentration?

    A concentration advisor is often the best person to tell you about further opportunities for concentrators in that field, or about what types of jobs and careers recent graduates of that program have gone into.

  8. Can I double-count courses toward both my concentration and academic minor, or another academic minor?

    You can use only one course to meet the requirements of both a concentration plan and an academic minor plan. No course can be used to satisfy the requirements of more than one minor.

  9. Do I have to get a certain grade in a class to count it toward my academic minor?

    Yes, you must receive credit for the course to use it in the minor, and you must have an overall GPA of 2.0 in the academic minor, including any prerequisites.

  10. I'm not in LSA.  Can I still elect an academic minor?

    Yes. All undergraduate units on the Ann Arbor campus, except for the College of Pharmacy, allow their students to elect academic minors in LSA. Each unit has its own policies on academic minors.

    Limitations may apply on which academic minors may be chosen. You should consult an academic advisor in your home unit before making an appointment to see an LS&A program advisor about academic minors offered in LS&A.

  11. Can I use transfer credits to count toward my academic minor?

    In general it is possible to take prerequisites and some course work at another campus. You will need to check, however, with your academic minor advisor about what is acceptable. If you are transferring credits from another institution, and you want any of those credits to count towards your academic minor requirements, they must be evaluated and approved by an academic minor advisor. Neither the admissions office nor a general advisor can grant this approval. Each department will set its own standards for the acceptance of transfer credits; there are no general rules that govern the process. At least 10 out of the 15 credits used toward an academic minor must be taken in-residence.

  12. Does my minor appear on my diploma?

    No.  Concentrations and minors will not be listed on your diploma unless you receive  Honors in your concentration  through the Honors Program. Your concentrations and minors will be listed on your official transcript. 

  13. May I take an academic minor course Pass/Fail?

    No, you cannot take any courses Pass/Fail which are used for your academic minor.

  14. Can I create an individualized academic minor?

    No.  Individualized Academic Minors are not allowed.  You could consider an Individualized Concentration Program or Bachelor in General Studies degree.

  15. Can I use AP credit in my academic minor?

    No. Advanced Placement credits may not be used to meet the requirements of an academic minor, but may be used to meet the prerequisites to a minor.